Either way, if the device - or you, the user - have been approved by the socket's owner, your gadget will get juice.

Sony envisages using powerline networking tech to allow socket and connected gadget to negotiate the supply of power.

"These outlets will perform authentication whenever a device is plugged in," said Sony general manager Taro Tadano, who sees intelligent power networks a necessity for a world that wants to adopt renewable sources and try to cut down on waste.

The new sockets could also pave the way for companies to charge users for plugging in their devices in public places, such as airports and railway stations. Want to keep your laptop topped up while waiting for your flight? That'll by five pounds please.

This might see consumers log in by tapping a pre-pay card on a power socket, then using it like a petrol station to fill up a mobile device.